Climate protection in Tatabánya

March 19, 2008

New ICLEI Member Tatabánya (Hungary) has developed the first Hungarian local climate change strategy.

Its development was supported by a local climate group and researchers of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. The strategy includes priorities, short-and long-term plans, and concrete steps to be taken by the city management.

Members of the local climate group and representatives of the main health care institutions of the city have also prepared a Local Heat and UV-Alert Plan for the city, the first such plan in the country. It includes necessary information, steps and measures to be taken by the city management and relevant parties affected, in case of a national heat or UV alert.

In November, 2007 the Alliance of Climate Friendly Settlements was formed, with four other Hungarian cities joining the initiative.

The local work plan for 2008 includes setting up a carbon offset system with a pre-set menu of carbon offsetting opportunities. Local companies and all other stakeholders are invited to use the benefits of this system and contribute to the implementation of the climate strategy by using it. An extensive environmental educational campaign has been launched, as well as an Energy Championship in all public institutions of Tatabánya. In addition to this the basic statutes of climate friendly kindergartens/ preschools and schools in Hungary are also being developed.

More and more cities are facing the need to mitigate climate change while already adapting to the changes brought about by climate change. ICLEI’s Cities for Climate Protection® (CCP) Campaign is an innovative international campaign that helps local government and their communities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and their impact on the environment. And now, the CCP Campaign is launching the Adaptation Initiative, building capacity for climate change impacts at the local level. For more information, please visit www.iclei.org/ccp.

Tatabanya is one of three local governments in Hungary that are currently Members of ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability. For more information on ICLEI and its activities in Europe, please visit www.iclei.org/europe.